● Almost clear all the way to the Champlain Lookout (April 20, 2016)

I cycled up to the Champlain Lookout in the Gatineau Park today (April 20, 2016), and I was on bare pavement most of the way.

I took the most direct route via the Gatineau and Champlain Parkways. The parkways were generally clear, but in a few areas there was only a thin strip of pavement which was snow free.

The only real problem was the usual trouble spot a little ways pass Black Lake. Here there was a 200 metre stretch of the Champlain Parkway that was totally covered with snow and ice. I walked my bike over it, as did several other cyclists who were heading up to the Champlain Lookout. The snow in this area was melting fast, so much of it should be gone by this weekend (April 23-24). It will probably be possible to cycle through this area on pavement on the weekend, but there’s always a chance people may have to walk their bikes over a short section of snow.

Another trouble spot just before the intersection of the Champlain and Fortune Parkways was also covered in a fair amount of snow. But here, it was possible to cycle around the snow on a thin strip of pavement (except for a short 20 foot section, which will probably be clear later today).

As far as I could tell, there was still quite a bit of snow on the Fortune Parkway.

Note that the Gatineau Park opens to motor vehicles at noon, Friday, May 6, 2016.